Dealing with cold temperatures day in and day out, the mind tends to travel towarmer times and places. While snowy landscapes definitely hold their ownmajestic beauty, enjoying a slightly breezy summer day outside by the pool doesn’tsound bad either. What adds even more appeal to this dreamy poolside afternoon isa pool house/cottage. You would never have to trudge through the house to get adrink, go to the bathroom, or change. These structures that formerly served as anattractive alternative to storing cleaning products and chairs have heavily evolvedto serve a multitude of functions. They even come in a variety of sizes and styles andare customizable to fit any need or want.Now, imagine if your pool house/ cottage lived up to the quality of your pool andadded that extra oomph to your outdoor living space? Serving NJ and PA for over 6decades, Hewitt and Danese Contractors and Builders know this landscape betterthan most. Therefore, we know how to best incorporate it’s beauty into the design ofyour custom pool house. Get ready to take your summer refuge from standard toexceptional.Pool cottages are more versatile than you would thinkA popular reason for wanting a pool house is to provide family and guests a place tochange out of their wet bathing suits. After all, no one enjoys walking through apuddle inside the main house. While this still remains a primary reason for buildinga pool house/cottage, over the years homeowners have become much more creativewith their ideas.Nowadays, consumers build them large enough to serve dual purposes. In the offseasons pool houses can be converted to guest cottages, art studios, exercise roomsand more. They also come in a variety of styles like country retreat with rustictouches, modern sleek, Grecian pillar style, or Montauk cottage. Having control overthe style and size gives homeowners the ability to design them to fit any budget.Plus, it doesn’t hurt that they increase the value of the pool. Whatever look suitsyour area best, we’re ready to customize it.Making the outdoors perfectAt their face value, pool houses are a guesthouse, storage space, changing area,etcetera. But if designed properly, what they really give is the ability to truly enjoythe things you value in life even more. This might be time for friends and family,sitting outside reading a book, lying silently listening to the birds, or hosting parties.Imagine you and your loved ones making a whole day out of your pool area. Peoplecan splash around and swim, while the rest of the people lounge in the shade by thepool house, enjoying a couple cocktails by the pool house bar. Take it to the nextlevel and incorporate a kitchen in the design of the structure, and you’ll never wantto cook inside again!

Talk to a contractor before building startsIn most regions, building a pool house/ cottage requires building permits. Accordingto the website The Spruce, this is because the structure must comply with localoutdoor zoning ordinances and codes. Some structures, depending on how smallthey are, don’t need a permit but you never want to assume without seekingprofessional advice and help. A larger outdoor structure with plumbing and heatingis considered a habitable space and is typically subject to some of the same zoningrequirements as any other residential building. If you don’t already know, thepurpose of zoning laws is to govern a structures use on a properly. As a safetyconsideration for pool houses, local zoning rules dictate how close the house can beto the pool’s edge. Needless to say, before breaking ground on a custom design, chatwith us and we’ll help you figure out your local zoning rules.Back in the 1930s, pool houses used to be something only the Hollywood stars hadas a part of their luxury private homes. Today, they’ve become not only moreaffordable, but more customizable. Seeing their appeal and added value, more andmore homeowners are jumping to design one. They not only give homeownerssatisfaction, but also serve as a place of comfort and entertainment for guests. So, ifyou’re living in endless days of cold dreaming about your fantasy poolsideafternoon, give us a call and let us turn your backyard into the next Bellagio.